Lions name strong team to face Brumbies as preparations ramp up for first Test

Andy Farrell has picked his strongest British & Irish Lions combination so far for his squad’s penultimate fixture before they take on Australia in Brisbane next week. The majority of the Lions’ leading names have been selected to start against the ACT Brumbies in what is clearly being seen as a dress rehearsal ahead of the first Test.

The first-choice pairing of Finn Russell and Jamison Gibson-Park are reunited at half back inside an all-Irish centre pairing of Bundee Aki and Gary Ringrose, with Scotland’s Blair Kinghorn at full-back and the Anglo-Irish combination of Tommy Freeman and James Lowe on the wings.

Farrell’s preferred pack to face the Wallabies on Saturday week is also becoming clearer with skipper Maro Itoje joined by Joe McCarthy in the back-row. Ellis Genge has received the nod at loosehead with Tadhg Furlong picked ahead of Will Stuart on the opposite side of the front row. A significant game also looms for the English pair of Ollie Chessum and Tom Curry in the back row alongside the Irish No 8 Jack Conan.

There is also a spot on the bench for Henry Pollock, ruled out of Saturday’s win over the Waratahs with a tight calf, and winger Mack Hansen, who grew up in Canberra and now returns Australia’s capital as one of the Lions replacements for a game which Farrell clearly expects to be a full-on contest.

“In 2013 the Brumbies beat the British & Irish Lions in Canberra and this year they were the leading Australian team in Super Rugby – so we are fully aware of the challenge in front of us,” said Farrell.

“It will also be a special occasion for Mack Hansen as he returns to his hometown and gets the opportunity to play for and represent the Lions against some of his old teammates.” As anticipated the squad’s most recent addition, Owen Farrell, will not be involved and will now hope to play some part in the Lions next game against an Invitational Australia & New Zealand XV in Adelaide on Saturday.

British & Irish Lions: Kinghorn; Freeman, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe; Russell, Gibson-Park; Genge, Sheehan, Furlong, Itoje (capt), McCarthy, Chessum, Curry, Conan. Replacements: Kelleher, Porter, Stuart, Van der Flier, Pollock, Mitchell, M Smith, Hansen.

ACT Brumbies: Muirhead; O’Donnell, Sapsford, Feliuai, Toole; Meredith, R Lonergan (capt), Ieli, L Lonergan, Van Nek, Shaw, T Hooper, Scott, Taii Tualima. Replacements: Bowron, Orr, Fotuaika, L Hooper, Reimer, Goddard, Debreczeni, Creighton.